Thieves pick on innocent Whangarei family

Pressure: Juanita Cleaver, with Bob, whose family car was stolen and crashed into a ditch during a police pursuit this week. Photo / John Stone

Solo mum Juanita Cleaver has re-mortgaged her home to get money to replace her family car that thieves stole, then crashed into a ditch during a police pursuit this week. The Whangarei community worker says the "cowardly, selfish, lazy thieves" have put stress and strain on an innocent family. Kristin Edge reports.

The first that Juanita Cleaver heard of her car having been stolen was a phone call from the Northern police communications centre at 3am on Monday asking her if she was "currently involved in a police pursuit".

The mother of three - two girls aged 12 and 13, and a 5-year-old son - has spent a decade working for local organisations that have benefited the Whangarei community. But on Monday some members of the community dealt her a cruel blow.

She told the police caller she had been asleep in bed.

A quick check on the driveway of her boyfriend's Onerahi home, where she had parked her 1995 Silver Nissan Pulsar, revealed a pile of shattered glass and no car.

Ms Cleaver had just returned from a trip to Tinopai with her son, Bob, so most of their gear was still in the car - including Bob's fishing line, LeapPad computer game and school bag with reading books and lunchbox.

Also stolen was a laptop and external hard drive, a record of her professional and personal life for the past nine years.

"There's photos of my children's births ... stuff that is totally worthless to the criminal but invaluable to myself, my organisation and my children."

At 9am the same day, a stranger rang to say they had found some of her items dumped on a sea wall on Beach Rd, with some items floating in the outgoing tide.

She later learned her car had been abandoned in a ditch near Dargaville and had been towed to Whangarei, at a $400 expense to her.

The car was badly damaged and not worth repairing. She said Pete's Towing was understanding and had waived the towage fee. They would take the car to the wreckers and keep what little money they got as payment.

"I wasn't insured," Ms Cleaver said. "Insurance was a luxury I couldn't afford. I've had to re-mortgage my house to find the money to start searching for a car. I've spent years paying the mortgage trying to get ahead - now I'm back at square one.

"The car is a vital lifeline to get the kids to school and to the doctors, and me to work. Over the last few days, I've relied on family and friends and it's been difficult."

Her message to the thieves was succinct: "They are cowardly, selfish, lazy thieves. There's no excuse to put other people in this situation for your own selfish gain. These thieves have no regard for the stress and strain this has put on an innocent family."

And she added: "Someone will be aware of a new LeapPad and fishing rod they didn't have before. Accepting stolen goods makes you just as guilty as the criminal."

Ms Cleaver has been heavily involved with community events and organisations since moving to Northland 10 years ago. For the past two years, she has been the business director for The Paper Mill - an organisation providing work experience and training for people with intellectual disabilities. She has also been the event co-ordinator for Artbeat for four years and was instrumental in establishing Channel North.

Her car was one of at least four police pursuits involving stolen cars over the Easter weekend.

Whangarei police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said police spotted Ms Cleaver's car being driven south on Kirikopuni Valley Rd before it turned on to Houto Rd, near Dargaville. Police then chased the vehicle along the narrow metal road for about 2km before they found it abandoned in a ditch with the doors open and engine running. A police dog and handler were called but were unable to find anyone.